Fashion

Before I get into the reason I’m writing about fall clothes today, I need to share something that happened at the pool yesterday. It has absolutely no relevance here. Thank you for understanding my need to tell you about it.

Caroline and I were pulling up in the pool parking lot when I glanced over and saw a couple walking into the pool carrying an ENORMOUS inflatable swan float. It was the most massive pool toy I have ever seen. I’m not exaggerating when I say that the whole thing was roughly half the size of our master bedroom, plus I never exaggerate. EVER.

It took both of them twisting and bending that swan’s neck to even get it through the doors of the pool and then the thing just burst out into the room like a car full of clowns at the circus. Caroline and I walked around it while she stared at it in complete awe and wonder. About that time, the pool manager walked in, looked at the float and said, “That isn’t going to work. It’s way too big for the pool.”

And perhaps the Atlantic Ocean.

I didn’t want to stand there and gawk so I grabbed Caroline’s hand and we walked on by. After we put our stuff down and started swimming, I spotted the swan hanging out by a group of lounge chairs on the other side of the pool. The swan owners were sitting next to it, drinking a beer and smoking a cigarette. And that’s when I realized they didn’t even have any children with them. They were just two adults who loaded up their gigantic swan and headed to the pool for a smoke and an adult beverage.

It might have been the highlight of my summer.

Anyway, I’ve reached the point in the summer where I’m just about over the heat. And I’m certainly over trying to look cute in the heat, as evidenced by the fact that my daily uniform has become a pair of Nike running shorts and whatever t-shirt happens to be clean. I’m not necessarily ready for school to start, but I am ready for some fall clothing. Even though I won’t be able to wear any of it for about four more months.

I’ll discuss fall trends at a later date, but here are a few things I’ve already seen that have made me swoon.

1. Ha’ Penny Cardigan

This is really everything I love in a fall sweater. I can just picture it with jeans and boots.

2. Born Crown Yolanda Mid-Calf Boot

Speaking of boots, I adore these. And you know they’re comfortable because they’re made by Born.

Plus, they are on sale until August 4th.

3. Lucky Brand Service Jacket

This is the perfect jacket to throw on with a pair of jeans. It’s cute, but totally casual and comfortable.

4. PJ Salvage Pajamas

There are few things I love more than a good pair of pajamas when the weather gets cold.

5. Sweet Pea Ruffle Cardigan

So cute.

6. Red Plaid of Courage Coat

Love this. Just picture it with a pair of skinny jeans tucked into boots. It would be the perfect outfit for a college football game.

Except I cheer for the Aggies and these aren’t our colors.

Also, most of our games are played when it’s stil 120 degrees outside.

7. Gayle Jersey Dress

As per my usual lackluster social life, I don’t have any events on the horizon. But if you do, then I would like to live vicariously through you and ask that you consider this dress.

8. Jacquard Wool Mini

I wish I could get this picture to upload because I don’t just love this mini, but the way they styled the whole look. The gray tights and boots, the yellow scarf? Love it all.

9. Plaid Roll-Up Tunic

Apparently I am continuing my love affair with plaid. I would love this with some jean leggings and cowboy boots.

10. Kryptonite Necklace

Green is going to be one of the big trends for fall. While looking around on Etsy I came across this necklace and fell in love.

That’s all for now because I’m going to go search the internet to see where one purchases a giant inflatable swan.

Y’all have a great Friday.

Y’all.

I don’t do a lot of giveaways these days for a variety of reasons. But when Jolie Sikes from The Junk Gypsy Company emailed me several months ago, I was a little star struck and A LOT excited because I have been a big fan of their stuff ever since my friend Julie told me about them six years ago.

If you’ve never heard of them, you are in for a treat. And if you know the Junk Gypsies already, then you know how excited I am to be giving away two $50 gift certificates today.

Click over to my giveaway page to read more about them, see some of my favorite items, and enter to win.

Mimi and Bops took Caroline to the Witte Museum yesterday to see the dinosaur exhibit. I decided it would be a perfect time to clean out the playroom because I could actually get rid of some things. The majority of the time she doesn’t notice if things just disappear from the playroom, except for that one time when I gave away her shopping cart and she asked about it and I told her I’d sent it off to be repaired.

Which is kind of true except for the part about it being repaired.

I managed to clear out about two bags of stuff, including a Mr. Potato Head even though I felt a few moments of Toy Story guilt. However, it was quickly squashed by the joy I felt at the totally organized toy bins.

When Caroline came back home she didn’t even notice anything was gone. In fact, she wanted to clean out more stuff so I recruited her to help me with the kitchen cabinets. I found a shocking amount of items that have long been expired and was also relieved to learn that I have eight half-full bottles of Karo Syrup on hand.

And then after the kitchen cabinets were in order, I played six rounds of Words With Friends, thought about how LeBron James sums up all the reasons I don’t like professional sports, and then looked for cute stuff on the internet.

Here’s what I found.

1. Hive and Honey Samara Wedge

These kind of appeal to me in a 70’s kind of retro way. They look like they could be the cooler stepsister of the Yo-Yo.

2. Trouve’ Chambray Boyfriend Shirt

I don’t know why I love denim like I do. It may be just a matter of time before I’m searching for some plaid walking shorts and a brown braided belt.

3. Molded and Melded Tee

4. Nexus Top

This is kind of like the dressier cousin of the previous top.

Apparently a lot of my selections today have relatives.

5. Boden Printed Tunic

There is no way to decide between all the great stuff on sale at Boden right now. It’s just too much.

But this tunic might be my frontrunner.

6. Uptown Coat

Seriously, you have got to go over and check out everything that’s 50% off right now at Boden. This striped jacket makes me wish I lived somewhere cool enough to wear a jacket.

Unfortunately, by the time it cools off enough in San Antonio for me to wear this, it will be December and I’d look a little summery.

7. Fun Cotton Top

Did I mention that I cleaned out the playroom and my kitchen cabinets today? That’s why I’m too tired to keep posting pictures of everything. Sorry.

On the upside, I can loan you eight bottles of Karo Syrup if you need it.

8. Present Yourself Jacket

Oh, the jacket. They are my weakness.

I also learned a valuable piece of information about the jacket this week while playing Words With Friends with Sophie. “Jupe” is a word that refers to a short jacket. I learned this when she played the word “jupe” against me for 44 points and I looked it up because I yearn for knowledge.

Technically, this jacket is a jupe.

9. Time Keeps On Ticking Watch

This is the watch I’ve been looking for because it’s white and it’s only $18.00. Perfection.

I realize that 9 is a random number to end on, but I have some very important things to do that may or may not include watching Bethenny’s Getting Married while playing Words With Friends and looking up recipes for things that involve Karo Syrup.

Y’all have a great Friday.

Caroline is a big fan of all manner of accessories.

Even if they happen to be 3-D glasses.

I hadn’t planned on doing a Fashion Friday post, but I couldn’t help myself. Please note that I was way too lazy to actually post pictures this time. I apologize profusely.

1. Fossil Crystal Watch

Love the turquoise color of this watch. And it’s on sale.

2. Embroidered Kurta Tunic

Words can’t describe how much I adore this tunic. The yellow color makes me so happy.

3. Coralie Cami

I saw this in J.Crew yesterday and thought it was a cute summer top.

4. La Blanca Splash Bandini

A reader named Lara sent me the link to this swimsuit. I love it.

5. Blue Howlite Multi-Strand Necklace

Have I mentioned I like turquoise?

6. Nine West Euliane Wedge

I’ve been wanting some nude-colored wedge sandals and really like these because I could wear them with a lot of different things.

7. Stone Bib Necklace

Love the colors in this necklace. Very summery.

8. Muse Chain Strap Matte Jersey Shift Dress

On the season finale of Tori and Dean, Tori wore this unbelievably gorgeous one-shouldered caftan after their vow renewal ceremony. I desperately tried to find a good picture of it, but failed. I’m sure it was vintage something or other and cost at least $35.

And I’m not sure how any of that relates to this jersey shift dress at all, but I just wanted to tell you about my love for the caftan.

9. Crochet Trim Swing Skirts

You know how I love a summer skirt.

10. Gingham Red Coral Shirt

I can’t really explain why I love this gingham shirt so much. The heart wants what it wants.

Plus, I can just picture it with a turquoise necklace and some boots. And probably some pants of some kind would be a nice touch, too.

Y’all have a great Friday.

Caroline told me the other night that she needed to make a video. At the time, I had no idea that she was planning to do her own Fashion Friday. Clearly, she is trying to stage a coup.

Fashion Friday from Big Mama on Vimeo.

A few things about the video:

1. Yes, the editing is a little choppy but I had to cut out a twelve minute dissertation about the art of playing Candyland and how she always beats me when we play.

2. The whole thing with the shoe and her friend happened at least two, maybe three, years ago. Bless her Sicilian heart, she loves nothing more than a vendetta.

3. I don’t necessarily advocate the mirrored platform shoe as a fashion choice.

4. Or the Southern Belle costume for that matter.

5. Or watching some type of flying dinosaur pick up a warthog in its talons and drop it on the ground.

And because I feel like I need to contribute something fashion-wise to keep up with my daughter, here are a few cute things I’ve seen.

1. Via Spiga Espadrille Sandal

I realize it’s not as flashy and glamorous as a mirrored platform shoe, but it may be slightly more versatile.

On another note, Nordstrom is promoting what they refer to as the summer bootie. It looks like this.

Which is funny because I thought the summer booty was what you try to cover up as quickly as possible when you get out of the pool.

2. Free People Snappy Tunic

I would love this with some white jeans.

3. Kensie Paperweight Top

This isn’t normally a color that I’d choose, but something about it really appeals to me.

4. Spot in the Dark Maxi Dress

I’m not sure how I feel about the polka dots. That being said, I love the style.

I also really like this I Dye! Maxi Dress.

I die.

4. Citrus Avenue Sunhat

The other day at the pool (Have I mentioned we’ve been spending some time at the pool?) there was a mom wearing the most adorable plaid straw hat. This one is a little different but it’ll do, pig. It’ll do.

I really feel like there should be a fifth item. However, I’m not one to give into numerical pressure and so I’m calling it a day.

Y’all have a great Friday.

On Saturday morning Caroline and I have an 8:30 a.m. flight to Alabama where we will be picked up by Sophie and Alex and we’ll all head to the beach. Needless to say, my last few hours have been spent in a fury of strategic packing because I am determined that we will make this trip with one carry-on bag and a backpack. It’s an ambitious goal, but so is drilling for oil in the Gulf and look how well that’s turned out for everyone.

And, seriously, if P asks me one more time if I’m packing HazMat suits for Caroline and me, it will cease to be mildly amusing.

The truth is that I grew up going to the beaches in Galveston in the 70’s and 80’s. I didn’t even know there were beaches without tar and oil until I was fifteen years old. I thought everyone picked out their oldest bathing suit to wear to the beach and had to wipe themselves down with gasoline at the end of the day. It was the price you paid for lounging in the sun eating Fritos and bean dip and then going out to ride the occasional wave.

Anyway, as I’ve packed I’ve thought about the essential beach items. And even the non-essential beach items. Basically, I’ve thought about things I think are great for the beach and thought I’d share them here.

1. Zebra beach towel

A good beach towel is a must and I’m a big fan of the chocolate brown zebra print.

Of course if you want something more understated, you might prefer the Regatta stripe towel. It would be perfect for attending a Regatta Gala.

2. Valencia tote bag

3. Neutrogena Ultimate Sport Sunblock SPF +70

I could write several paragraphs about how particular I am when it comes to sunscreen, but I will spare you all the details of my sensitive skin and the BURNING, my word THE BURNING, that happens when I use the wrong product on my face.

That’s why I have fallen in love with this Neutrogena sunblock. It’s gentle enough for my face, but strong enough to use everywhere.

I think I sound like a commercial.

4. Ruched guard

I have a regular rash guard that I wear sometimes, but I like this one so much better because the zipper keeps me from feeling like I might suffocate. And the ruched sides are just cute.

5. Strapless smocked dress

I love these smocked dresses from Victoria’s Secret. They’re the perfect thing to throw on over a bathing suit.

6. Reef sandy sandals

I’ll admit that I haven’t always been faithful to the Reef flip-flop. There have been others along the way. But I always come back because they are so comfortable.

7. Smocked tank dress

8. Maxi jersey dress

This maxi dress is perfect because it provides a little more coverage than the normal maxi dress and it comes in this delightful hot pink and green combination.

9. Serengeti sundress

10. V-neck jersey dress

How many comfortable dresses are too many for summer?

11. Turquoise banana shell necklace

This would look so great with a simple white shirt. Or with a maxi dress. Or really with anything.

Now I’m off to go cram a few more things in a suitcase.

Also, I’m probably going to take a summer hiatus from Fashion Friday. I reserve the right to change my mind on that, but there are only so many times you can show a pair of shorts or flip-flops or cotton dresses.

What I’m trying to say is it’s hot. And it’s summertime. And the living is easy.

Y’all have a great Friday.